# NTSB LAX85LA212: Cessna 172P, N55448, Boron, CA, April 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1985, 19:00 local (Apr 21, 1985, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Boron, CA
- Coordinates: 35.000347, -117.6296 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0003&lon=-117.6296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24700
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA212
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24700/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA212

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - aircraft performance,landing capability - exceeded (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A CROSS COUNTRY BUSINESS FLT, THE PLT SAID HE BECAME CONCERNED ABOUT AN INDICATED LOW FUEL STATE AND DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. TWO APPROACHES HAD TO BE ABANDONED DUE TO WHAT THE PLT DESCRIBED AS 'THE MOST DIFFICULT X-WIND CONDITIONS AND GUSTS' THAT HE HAD EVER EXPERIENCED. AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON THE THIRD LANDING ATTEMPT, PLT SAID THE ACFT 'LURCHED LEFT, THEN FORWARD AND UP OVER ONTO ITS BACK.' A SHERIFF'S DEPUTY WHO ARRIVED AT THE AIRPORT SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT STATED THAT THE LOCAL SURFACE WINDS 'WERE 40 TO 50 MILES PER HOUR.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: N55448 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275182
- Airframe hours: 798
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arthur H. Price
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 12, 1984, 100 hours before
- Departed: HMT, HEMET, CA
- Destination: BFL, BAKERSFIELD, CA
- Airport: 5L4, Borax, runway 26, 2,800 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 585 total, 351 in this make and model, 585 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 260° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EDW, 12 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850420016079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850420016079A), Apr 20, 1985: Cessna 172P, Boron, CA, Destroyed. Ran low on fuel after getting off course. Flipped over on crosswind landing crosswind component greatly exceeded.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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